NEWSQUEST Hampshire has launched a new weekly title serving the town and surrounding communities of Eastleigh.

Last week marked the first edition of the Eastleigh Times, produced by the editorial team based at the company’s Southampton office. Eastleigh Times editorial, sales, and marketing staff were joined by council staff and business bosses at the official launch of the weekly newspaper at the town’s Swan Shopping Centre.

With news, sport, entertainment and heritage, the community paper focusses on the entire Borough of Eastleigh, including the communities of Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End and Hamble, covering the issues that matter most. In the first edition the newspaper broke the exclusive story of a £50 million investment in the railway works in the heart of the town creating 200 new jobs. But it does not only concentrate on news – there is extra sports coverage, heritage, local views and a television guide for the weekend.

Editor Gordon Sutter said: “I would like to welcome our readers and advertisers to the Eastleigh Times.

“I want the Eastleigh Times to be a true community newspaper, reflecting life and the issues that affect the diverse communities across the borough.

“So far our new publication appears to have been well received by the people of town.”

“The initial response from our clients has been fantastic and we know the Eastleigh Times will continue to be a success with their support.”

The Eastleigh Times replaces the former Eastleigh News Extra. It is distributed door to door in parts of the borough, but can also be picked up at local supermarkets. In other areas of the town it can be bought for 40p.

The launch of the new title comes just two months after Newsquest Hampshire, which also publishes the Southern Daily Echo, the Hampshire Chronicle and the Romsey Advertiser, launched the Southampton Citizen, a weekly newspaper serving the city of Southampton.